Oil-darkened ties near the freight house at Pocinho, Portugal. The photograph doesn't capture the fact that the ties, which here look dark gray, are black, as is the gravel between them. Compare the lighter, bleached wood of the part of the ties that lie outside the rails. Photograph and text by George P. Landow. [You may use this image for any noncommercial purpose as long as you credit the photographer and this URL].